Shunyata Research

[Confused]

Confused is very kindly lending me his Audioprana hybrid cable which will he helpful in evaluating the new Shunyata "Devialet" cable (SDC).

Up until now the Transparent Ref XL has been generally acknowledged by many on various fora (and by reviewers) as one of the best SPDIF (and AES for that matter) available. It's certainly never failed to impress me and both AES and SPDIF variants have been a core part of my setup for many years. Rufus also owned an Ref XL SPDIF for a while and he also got to compare it to quite a few others.

Therefore for me an interesting test will be Audioprana v Ref XL v Alpha SPDIF v SDC - as a link between the dual monos.

The prototype that Tremayne has has apparently already been improved on - this was confirmed to me last night! 

Guillaume

I had a bit of free time this morning, which is significant as I am not expecting to have too much free time in the very near future!  So I have taken the hit now, my beloved Audioprana hybrid cable has been unceremoniously removed from my system and shoved into a little box ready to be sent off to Guillaume.

Although it is not all bad.  I do have the 'official Devialet' Audioquest Carbon directional RCA to RCA cable that comes with the 1000 Pro.  This cable has remained sad, unloved and unused in a box since I received the Pro.  This is being used with a Neutrik XLR to RCA adaptor, so I am not going away from the RCA to AES/EBU connection method.  Trying the 'new' cable now, I thought I could hear some strange distortion in the companion channel, which was disturbing.  On reducing the volume I realised it was some guy up the road using a strimmer.....    This stuff can drive you crazy sometimes.

Back on topic, I have always had a little hunch that the using the RCA to AES/EBU  chaining method is the key, maybe more than the actual cable itself.  Even then though, the Audioprana does have the little 75 to 110 transformer, does that make a difference?  So I think the Guilluame's planned trials with both his own Transparent Ref XL, the Audioprana and the new Shunyata prototype (also with transformer) could be very interesting and enlightening.  Good stuff!  Meanwhile, any listening I do for a while will be RCA to AES/EBU with no transformer.  Will I notice any change?